Indian Civilization Lec 21

History of Indian Civilization, Lec 21; UCLA, Lecture of 1 March 2012. The Mughals in India — Humayun onwards, but with special attention to Akbar, 1556-1605. Some characteristics of Akbar’s rule and his personality; his religious ecumenism and the Din-e-ilahi. Criticism of Akbar by the Muslim clergy; succeeded by Shah Jahan. We turn to the Sikh faith after the death of the Sikh Gurus; Guru Arjun Dev; Guru Gobind Singh; martyrdom of some Sikh Gurus (for example, Guru Tegh Bahadur) at the hands of Mughal Emperors; the shaping of the Guru Granth Sahib and the formation of the Khalsa (brotherhood of the pure): role of the Panj Pyare (the five beloved) and the symbols of the faith. We return towards the end to the Mughals; architectural legacy of Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal and the homage to Mumtah Mahal.